Research and technology transfer of salt producing chimney stove for ban bo luang community, bo kluea district, Nan Province

Abstract

This research aims to test and compare thermal efficiency of salt producing stoves between traditional stove and chimney stove, as well as transfer the technology to community. The traditional stove was constructed from clay while the chimney stove was formed by two layers of bricks coating with cement and then filled with carbonized rice husk ash in the 3cm-space between the layers, in order to reduce heat loss. Both types of stoves could accommodate 2 pans. Results showed that the traditional and chimney stoves had thermal efficiencies of 13.1% and 16.4%, respectively. Thermal efficiency of the chimney stove increased by 3.3% and led to reduction of average firewood consumption rate by 12–15Kg/day from the average consumption of 259Kg/day. As a result, the chimney stove could reduce costs of firewood by 14.4 baht/day. The chimney stove had production costs of 1,545 baht/unit and ROI period of 107 days. At present, 3 of 17 traditional stoves were improved into chimney stove.